• Describe the levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and the value of objectives aimed at the higher levels
• Transform simple questions into essential questions
• Create objectives according to the ABCD format
• Differentiate between activities and objectives
• Describe the relationship between standards, benchmarks and objectives
• Describe the Common Core Standards
• Define the term aligned instruction and describe its advantages

  B.  Effective Lesson Design

• Bloom's Taxonomy 
• Bloom's Taxonomy Breakdown - University of Nebraska, Lincoln
• The Day It Snowed Tortillas 
• Spanish version of The Day It Snowed Tortillas 
• Open-Ended vs. Closed Questions
• Developing Mathematical Thinking with Effective Questions - PBS TeacherLine
• Essential Questions
• Essential Question or Not?
• Jamie McKenzie - The Great Question Press
• Writing Effective Objectives
• ABCD's of Writing Objectives
• Objectives for this week's class
• Practice in creating well written objectives 
• Activities vs. Objectives 
• Common Core State Standards 
• New Mexico Standards and Benchmarks 
• What Are Standards and Benchmarks? 
• NM Standards (For best results, view this site using the Mozilla Firefox browser)
• APS Common Core State Standards 
• NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) - Internatioal Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
• Aligned Instruction

  1.  Complete the Effective Teaching Practice Exercise and Writing Instructional Objectives practice. Bring your completed papers to the next class session.

  2.  Read / Listen 

• Powerful Learning: Studies Show Deep Understanding Derives from Collaborative Methods - Brigid Barron
• Electronic version - Edutopia
• Print version 
• Judy Willis on the Science of Learning - Edutopia

• Required Reading:  Introduction to Constructivism and Computers & Constructivism 
• Optional Reading: All other sections

What struck you most about the readings and / or video? Support your comments with one or more direct quotes.

Last week you read about Essential Questions and ways to make questions that cause students to think at higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. In what ways do questions play a role in Constructivist learning? What effect on students do you feel such questions are likely to produce?

Brain imaging studies are transforming neuroscience research which, in turn, is providing greater insight into effective instructional techniques. In what ways can you relate the content of the video to the other readings?

Within your answers to these questions, be sure to  respond to one or more of your fellow students.